An Ex-Mas Feast (Kenya) Summary

"An Ex-Mas Feast" opens with the eight-year-old narrator, Jigana describing his twelve-year-old sister, Maisha. Maisha has recently become a prostitute for many reasons, but mostly because her parents live in the slums of Kenya and cannot afford basic things for their family like food and education. She has taken it upon herself to support the family. The narrator states that Maisha is already training her ten-year-old sister, Naema, about life as a prostitute, letting the young girl try on her high heels, and giving her tips about what Johns to stay away from.

Jigana lives in a rickety slum house where his entire family, Mama, Baba, Maisha, Naema, twins Otieno and Atieno, and Baby sleep together on the floor. The family wakes on Christmas morning and Mama, who is an alcoholic, rummages through her belongings for the small amounts of cash...